Nas: "The unauthorized copy. Dedication to my children, my childDestiny Jones. To my niece and nephews, Suree, Malik, Jabari.The world is yours. Acknowledgements: First off, I wannathank God. And I wanna thank everybody for helping me outwith this. Couldn't do it without you. Chapter 1."

[Verse 1: Nas]January 28, 1968Born into this world as William Griffin The GreatChapter 1, Wyandanch Long IslandScientific rhymin' invented a new sound when he met withEric Barrier from East SandhurstThe melody they created was the firstBurst on the scene, 1986 with Clap To This'87 dropped a classic discThe facts is the tracklist was like fourThe vocals, the beats -- according to Marly MarlRecorded in my hometown QueensbridgeThat's why it's so relativeThis biography was unauthorizedI spit it how it was given to author NasWilliam changed his name at sixteen to Rakim Allah'Cause Clarence 13X had New York on lockGods on every block, jams in every parkI remember hearin' Curtis Blow saying"It can't get better than this"'Til Run DMC blew my brains to bitsFrom leather coats to shell toes to the stan smiths, to Dapper Dan kicksFirst million-dollar deal ever in rap, 18th Letter did thatFrom 4th & Broadway to Uni to MCAWe followed the leader to Harlem's Apollo TheatreSupreme rapped and the 50 that don't rapForte Green, Queens, Strong Island WolfpackPaid In Full posse, hot they was onAnd Ra had his firstbornWith the next line I'ma be easyHis wisdom's name is FifiEPMD put a record out, was dopeTension spread, and I quote "Smack me and I smack you back"Sounded like the answer to the I Ain't No Joke trackFor a second it ain't look goodLittle tension buzzin' from Wyandanch to BrentwoodMisunderstood, all forgot by sixteen when I met Freddy FoxxTotin' burners, the whole coast's most concern wasHow was Rakim's flow, made Christians convert with Islamic waysLet The Rhythm Hit 'Em was the third LPA sophisticated mean one, before similar voices were King SonA few others, but sooner or later, the game was Ra's kingdomAt sixteen, son was watchin' him, mesmorizedRespect, not jockin' him, was so amazin', besidesHe came on the stage with lasers in his eyesWalk with me now

[Nas talking]"Unauthorized biography of Rakim. Epilogue: Mother wasa jazz singer. Nephew to R & B legend Ruth BrownDiscography: Paid In Full, Follow The Leader, LetThe Rhythm Hit 'Em, Don't Sweat The Technique. That'sthe end of the group. Went off to solo. Dropped theR, then the 18th Letter, and I think, somethin', TheMaster. Was signed to Aftermath, scheduled to releasean album Oh My God with Dr. Dre. The album wasdismantled because of creative differences. Thee endto the new beginning. Yeah. Next book, KRS1. Peace."